Dear Editor,

In my understanding when the Township appointed Heritage Commission inspected the plans for the new medical building on 96th Avenue in Fort Langley, it was found to comply with the Official Community Plan and conform to the heritage guidelines.

The commission is a group of Township-appointed people experienced in heritage plans and laws pertaining to the buildings in historic and designated areas such as Fort Langley. The chairperson is Jane Watt, a local historian, and others on the committee are representatives of the Langley Heritage Society, the Township Heritage supervisors, and other members of the heritage community, with a representative from the municipal council.

Councilor Charlie Fox was the council representative on the Heritage Commission when the medical building proposal was examined.

When the plan was presented to the commission, it was received favourably, and the vote was almost unanimous to accept it.

One opposing vote was that of developer Eric Woodward, who plans the only building in Fort Langley, the Coulter Berry Building, that does not conform to the heritage guidelines and the Official Community Plan.

Designs for the medical building were submitted to council, endorsed by the heritage review panel and the Heritage Advisory Commission. However, council decided to send those plans back to staff for changes to the design [Debate heated over design, Jan. 31, Langley Advance], totally ignoring the process and expertise of their own appointed committees.

If the Township council does not respect the opinions and advice of the staff and advisors, how can these educated experts be expected to do their job efficiently?

Bays Blackhall, Langley